KOTA KINABALU, Nov 6 — Sabah’s political landscape is set to ignite this weekend as the Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) coalitions prepare to unveil their candidates for the state election.
The announcements will kick off a flurry of activity from all major parties ahead of nomination day on Nov 15.
Staggered rollout for PH
DAP is expected to be the first major party out of the gate, announcing its candidates midday on Saturday, Nov 8.
This will be followed by a major PKR event on Sunday evening, where party president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will officially announce its candidates at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC).
“All PKR candidates are expected to sign their candidacy documents in the presence of Anwar and party leaders.
“The coalition will also launch its campaign slogan and theme song, officially kicking off its state election machinery,” PKR announced on social media.
Other PH partners will follow later, with the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) scheduled to introduce its candidates on Nov 13.
Both Upko and DAP are expected to contest under their own logos instead of using PH’s symbol.
Barisan Nasional, GRS keep cards close
Just hours before the PKR event on Sunday, BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will launch the coalition’s election machinery and announce its candidates.
Meanwhile, the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, led by caretaker chief minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, is taking a more conservative approach, saying it will announce its candidates “a few days” before nomination day, likely around Nov 11 or 12.
Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Malaysia (PKDM) will announce its line-up on Nov 13
Other parties, including Warisan, are expected to follow a similar timeline, with Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) and the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) set to unveil its hopefuls sometime next week.
Under the BN-PH electoral pact, PH is expected to contest around 22 of the 73 state seats, with PKR fielding 12, DAP seven, Amanah one, and Upko two.
BN is set to contest the majority of the remaining seats.
However, the seat-sharing arrangement between PH and the ruling GRS coalition remains under negotiation.
Nomination day for the Sabah state election is on Nov 15, with polling on Nov 29.
